Dr. Richard Strachan

Stories by Dr. Richard

What a great time members of the African Committee of the Dade Heritage had at it’s recent 22nd Annual Commemorative Service and the 7th Annual Youth Talent on Parade. The cool weather made it a perfect

The King of Clubs of greater Miami demonstrated served its true purpose recently when it helped the family of Jerry Miller bury their loved one.
Dr. Astrid Mack, president emeritus of the King of Clubs, led the effort to put together a great memorial service. James Fayson opened the service singing “Great is Thou Faithfulness”. Later in the service, Fayson uplifted the mourners with “Someone Greater Than You”. As President Richard J. Strachan played the keyboard, Reverend Harvey Lockhart, Chaplain, spoke of Miller’s spirituality and as a Godly man who always pursued righteousness.

While the county-owned Joseph Caleb building in Liberty City undergoes a $27.5 million renovation,Dr. Enid C. Pinkney’s Hampton House organization is settling into their new, but temporary home at The Martin Luther King Building, 2525 NW 62nd St. Also new are officers at of the Hampton House Board. They include Dr. Edward G. Robinson, Vice

The popular saying “Where does the time go, rings true as we recognize that this month is almost gone, and well, February is waiting to make its entrance. Every day is a blessing with hours to fill.
On Sunday, State Senator (District 39) Dwight Bullard made a brief, informative presentation to members of the Dade County Chapter, The Links, Inc. at their monthly meeting. The meeting was held on the UM campus in the Hurricane Room/Bank Atlantic Center. All Links in the state are preparing for Florida Links Day at the Capitol in March. Bullard, who chairs the Miami-Dade Democratic Party is also Chairman, Florida Legislative Black Caucus, and he spoke about the Black Caucus agenda. Knowledge is power for the people as we collectively join and lend our voices.

The African Committee of Dade Heritage Trust will celebrate Black History month by sponsoring the 22nd annual Commemorative Service and Youth Talent on Parade and Essay Competition at 3 p.m. Feb. 15 at the City Cemetery, 1800 NE Second Ave.
Honorees will include Christopher C. Scott, USA American Incorporator of the City of Miami, Leome Scavella Culmer (21 years) and Wilfred McKenzie. The outstanding talent will include Keya, Lausia, and Kaysia Curtis, Jaquan Cannon, Lonnie McCarty, Althea Sample, David Smith, Bradon Goins, Addnnas Jones and Destinee Romain.

The Historic Hampton House Community Trust Program/and Charlayne W. Thompkins, chairperson, continues to draw accolades from the community for the great job she has done on the advertisements and program on the free Handel’s Messiah and Jazz Masterpieces concert that was held during the holidays at the Church of Incarnation in Liberty City.

Octavia Elizabeth Noble shed several tears as she walked across the stage at the Al Lawson Center at Florida A & M University (FAMU). During the school’s recent commencement ceremony, Noble graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in psychology and a minor in sociology.
Cheers came from her entourage, which included her grandmother, aunts, cousins and sisters. Noble will continue to work on her M.S. degree at FAMU.
Noble thanked her grandmother, Jean Perry for her family upbringing while a student at Booker T. Washington High School, where she graduated with honors. After receiving her degree, she proudly recited the BTW motto: “It’s not the biggest, but the best.”
There may be a huge party from the family, so stay tuned to “Chatter” and save your gifts just in case more festivities are held.

The Historic Hampton House Community Trust, Inc. provided the community with a concert classic at the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation. The pews were filled with pews music lovers. The stars included guest artist Nicole Yarling, Jean Collahuazo, soprano soloist, Denise Anderson, alto soloist, Josef Spencer, tenor

Residents and business owners were well represented at the Florida Department of Transportation’s State Road 7/US 441/NW 7th Avenue Corridor Study Public Workshop held last Thursday evening at the Joe Celestin Center in North Miami. Each workshop provides the community an opportunity to interact with the FDOT Corridor Team, give their feedback and share their priorities on proposed transportation improvements for the major thoroughfare. Representative Daphne Campbell, Judy Brown, Henry Michel,

Dominique Jackson, a sophomore at Bethune-Cookman University, is a member of the Marching Band Flag Corps. She is also great grand daughter of Helen Young, B-CU and a graduate of Miramar High School, class of 2013. Her grandparents are Donald and Gwen Jackson, loving aunt, Desiree Jackson.

For many years, Tampa Bay housed the annual Florida Classic until it found its way to Orlando with the rivalry game being played every September, while the fans grew closer together as a family. Therefore, winning the game became an option, while 70,000 people changed their mode of interest to families having fun in the hotels, enjoying quality restaurants in the city, and great entertainment, all within walking distance of Disney World.
Back at the game, fans anticipate the performance of the FAMU Marching Band and the BCU exciting band with 12 dancing diamond girls. Both bands compete against each other and the families make their choice at home or on the way back home. Interestingly, the fraternal groups are still setting up outside the Citrus Bowl, where Omega Psi Phi tailgate parties serve hunks of ribs, hamburger, hot dogs, and music to their liking.

Congratulations to the Booker T. Washington Alumni Athlete Club for taking the time to select inductees for the 2014-15 year in basketball, cheerleading, football, soccer, swimming track and field, and wresting. The hall of fame banquet and induction ceremony was held, Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Renaissance Ballroom Inc.
Willie Warren, president, blessed the effort and included Edward Young, Kathryn Hepburn, Secretary, Lawrence Johnson, James Green, chaplain, and Richard Demerit, parliamentarian. Warren indicated we have come to recognize and honor former athletes for distinguished achievements highlighting their distinctive abilities. As we

Men of Tomorrow candidates were honored by the ladies of Egelloc Civic and Social club incorporated. The Egelloc Civic and Social Club is proud to be an organization that sponsors an activity that identifies 11th grade young men in the Dade and Broward communities who are destined to become successful leaders for a generation to come. This year’s theme is “Today We Prepare . . . Tomorrow We Achieve.”

Dr. Bradford and wife, Mabel, attended the 80th birthday celebration of John Due, an internationally known civil rights attorney. Bradford joined a group of 100 people, including Due’s daughter, Tananarive, and attorneys Jonneta and Lydia and family at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Tallahassee on October 25.
Judge Leah Sims and Bob Sims, First Director of the Community Relations Board, FAMU College of Law Dean Leroy Pernell, Gadsden County Sheriff, Morris A. Young and many more.

T. Willard Fair opened the 23rd Citizen Crime Watch, Miami-Dade Police Department Northside District by commending Annie Hicks Ross for more than 25 years of service with 14 groups as well as a reduction in crime. The celebration theme was “Celebrating Safe Street”.

Recently, an email went out to the Hampton House Board updating the importance of surveying the Hampton House Building.
President Commissioner Dorothy “Dottie” Johnson zeroed in on the answer to who is the owner of the building. According to her response it belongs to the Hampton House Board until further clarification including the Dade County Board, in short. These who attended the builder’s surveys beamed with pride.

We proudly announce that the 2014-15 Jacki Tuckfield Memorial Graduate Business Scholarship Fund have awarded $442,000 in scholarships to 11 applicants. The 17-year partnership has allowed 399 master’s and doctoral business tuition awards to be granted to Blacks in South Florida from 12 different Florida universities.

The Cheeks family reunion orchestrated by Cotious and Connie Arnold, along with the host committee was held in Tampa July 17-20 with the theme “A Gathering of Generations: Remembering Our Past, Living Today, and Embracing Our Future.” Attendees enjoyed excursions, and sightseeing stops. Activities included a welcome and family fun night at the Double Tree Hotel, an evening at Rusty Pelican, family worship service and of course, lots of shopping. As always, the family reunion was a great time to create memories and have fun doing it.

New Miami Northwestern Senior High School football coach Eddie “Rabbit” Brown feels the Bulls will see a marked improvement from last year’s 5-5 record and come out on the winning side this football season. As I observed Brown and his staff and the enthusiasm of the players, it reminded me of the 1946 Thanksgiving at the “Dust Bowl” when the Bulls defeated the BTW Tornados 2-0.

Congratulations to Alice Day founder of the Sunshine Jazz Club, for presenting the fifth annual Hall of Fame inductees, along with Keith Valles, president, and “The Real” Tracy Fields, WLRN FM 91.3 (Mon – Fri. at 7 p.m.). Valles had the honor of presenting inductees: Pete Minger, trumpet/flugelhorn, Nestor Torres, flute, Jimmy Crawford, piano/vocals, Panama Francis, drums, Dave Nuby, (Francis started out playing the saxophone until the drummer failed to show and he kicked off with drums in 1968, ) and Paquito D’Rivera, Alto Saxophone.

Congratulations go out to Christina Garcia and her mother, Tina, for planning her bridal soiree at Arcola Lakes Park, a few blocks from where she grew up around Miami Central High School. As guests walked into the building, the room had been transformed into the ‘feel’ of Miami with pictures on the walls of American Airlines, The Miami Heat; downtown Brickell Avenue; and The Fontainebleau. Each table was neatly decorated with green and yellow tall mugs of beach sand. Members of the bridal party led the guests to their seats as music played.

Dennis Fruitt, director, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, was asked by Dr. Enid C. Pinkney, founder of the Historical Hampton House Trust, to conduct a workshop on “Strategic Planning for The Second Century. Fruitt was welcomed by HHHT Board including Pinkney, President, Dorothy “Dottie” Johnson along with many community leaders including: Edward Harris, Dr. Edward G. Robinson, Dr.

Back in the 50s Miami-born Archie Ayers started delivering mail for the U.S. Postal Service while Georgia Jones led the fight to preserve “Rail Road Shop” as home. Archie spent some time in World War II and graduated from Booker T. Washington. The evening of the wake brought a host of people, such as Congresswoman Carrie Meek wit her son Kendrick, Marcia Johnson Saunders, Dr. Enid C. Pinkney, Kenneth Fitzpatrick, Chairman, Alternate

Icon Wilfred James (George) McKenzie, 89, retired surgical tech at the Miami Veteran’s Administrative Hospital, died June 3. His memorial service was held last Thursday at Range Funeral Home where his daughter, Lynette McKenzie, greeted those in attendance, such as friends, and neighbors. Those in attendance were: Martha Day, Nancy Dawkins, Fr. Garret, Church of the Incarnation, Dr. Fred and wife, Juanita, Dr. Enid C. Pinkney and husband, Frank, Dr. Edwin T. Demerrite, Charlange Thompkins, and Kenshawn, and more.

Henry Mingo, a retired Omega Psi Phi Brother, stood on the platform last week to announce his niece wrote to him and informed him of her acceptance to all universities that she applied to such as Yale University, Brown, Princeton, John Hopkins, Washington, U. Of Virginia, Wesleyan, Spellman and Rutgers. She announced receiving acceptance from all of them, plus a full scholarship based on her high GPA. Uncle Mingo would like her to select Yale U and also follow in the steps of Barack Obama and become president of the United States. You will be posted as she challenges these obstacles.

The wedding ceremony for Antonio A. Holley and Delores Green was held at Newport Beach Side Hotel & Resort, Sunday, May 25 on a makeshift arc decorated with sea items on the sand of Sunny Isles, while Jeffrey Townsley serenaded the crowd on his saxophone as the bridal party carefully eluded the sand as they walked from the hotel to the selected area.

Congratulations are in order for John McMann, director of the Miami Central Marching Rockets for providing the community with its Annual Band Concert, last Tuesday, in the school’s auditorium before a capacity crowd of students, staff and parents. McMann took to the mic and informed the people waiting for the beginning to watch the first dance will be “The Pledge of Allegiance” through hip-hop music with dancers from Miami

5000 Role Models of Excellence Project completed its 21st annual graduation and scholarship awards ceremony with a transaction program script exploring how the program is by the selected persons. It took place at the Historical St. Agnes Episcopal Church with father Denrick Rolle, Rector and Pastor 100 graduates, parents, other relatives and supporters. Dr. Richard Strachan will begin the musical

Congratulations to Miami Northwestern scholar athlete, Jontavia Dykes, the first in family history to receive a full-ride athletic scholarship. She will be attending the University of Florida this fall. Jontavia is also a four-year participant of the Lady Bull volleyball team. Hard work and staying focused has not only earned Jontavia recognition for “Superintendent-Distinction of Honor”, but also a spot to graduate in the top 15 percent of her senior graduating class of 2014. Jontavia is the

Former Judge Shirlyon J. McWhorter, B-CU ‘81 expressed her pride and humility to serve the 2013-14 as president of the Miami-Dade Alumni Association and also included the “Magic Of Motown” as the theme. She also recognized Patricia Garrett (Literary), M/M Charlie Davis (Community Service), Fedrick Ingram (Education), Mary Ann Carroll (Art), and Coach Brian Jenkins.

Congratulations to Veronica Rahming, president, and Mary Ann Thomas, vice president, for taking the “Men of Tomorrow”, along with The Egelloc Civic and Social Club and elite members, last Saturday, at the Parrot Jungle Island. “The organization began with 55 11th graders and completed its journey with 15. One boy even escorted while on crutches.

Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert stood smiling as he observed the activities of the 4th Annual Miami Gardens pre-Easter egg at Rolling Oaks Park. As the crowd joined him, the DJs started pumping the CDs, while the workers assemble three bouncer houses, two fair fun games, two see saws, three swings, and tables filled with ribs, chicken, hot dogs, hamburger, string beans, potato salad and drinks. And then the vendors joined in setting up their tables.

PACT (People Acting for Community Together) held its Nehemian Action Assembly, March 31 at New Birth Baptist Church before a packed church of members featuring Notre Dame d’Haiti Youth Choir, Anointed Men of Prophecy, Rev. Dr. Joreatha Capers,

The Booker T. Washington forum, sponsored by the King of Clubs of Greater Miami, continues Thu. April 17. The dynamic speaker will be Dr. Willie J. Wright, a former President of Florida Memorial University; a former Bethune-Cookman University Alumni National President; and local Basileus of the Pi Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Frat.

Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., Gamma Alpha Chapter is a National Business and Professional Women’s Sorority that celebrates National Business and Month every April with a program, which recognizes Outstanding Business Women, Men as well as outstanding community leaders and organizations that have greatly contributed to our community. Scholarships will also be awarded to students at this program.

Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson enjoyed an experience by having the opportunity to fly from Washington to Miami on Art Force, including a helicopter ride to Coral Reef High School last Friday. President Obama spoke on the importance of education in achieving the American Dream and expanding opportunities for the working class, while Congresswoman Wilson demonstrated the objectives of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project.

Miami Northwestern Bulls did celebrated being named an A-School with a stellar parade. The substitute platform came Dr. Alberto Carvalho, Superintendent of Public Schools, congratulating and commending the school for reaching Level “A” after being tested with the FCAT. Joining him was Edward Harris from the office of Commissioner Audrey Edmonson. He read the Proclamation attesting the golden crown, while the contingents warmed up for the parade and Edmonson traveled to South Africa on a business trip.

On February 20, The Miami Police Department presented its annual “Employee of the Year” award to Kathleen Day Thurston. The Award was presented to her by Assistant Chief Rodolfo L. Lanes, her former supervisor.
She was selected for this award for all her outstanding service, hard work and dedication at the Miami Police

Congratulations go out to Rheta Boone Fye for the presentation of Office Black Affairs Annual Black History Program featuring Arcola Lakes Singing Angels, Little Willie, DJ, and a host of members from the Office of Black Affairs, while the Commissioners join the Angels singing “Enjoy Jesus” to the delight of the program. Some of the Angels included Gloria Pacely, President, Mary Simmons,

Roberta Daniels called my attention to the December issues that needed correction, based on the stats: it should have read not the first State, but the third State Championship in Class 4A. We apologize for the error. Since that time, Booker T. Washington won the National Championship and its band served as marshals in Dr.